Machine tool



Jan. 20, 1948 T. TRECKER ETAL 2,4345n MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. l26, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTDHS Ta'apm' THELKER 1.775225 E. RMITAEE 2.0; E948 T. TRECKER ETAL MACHINE TOOL VFiled nec. 26, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTURE' TTENE'Y Jm 20,-1948, T, TRECKER Em l 2,434,751

MACHINE Tom,Y

Filed Dec. 26, 1942 6 Sheefs-Sheet 3 gag).

.KNT/EN TERE THEUDUEE' 732552111522 JUsEPH E. M7255' TTEZVEY Jan.. 20, 1948. T. TRECK'ER Em 12,4343151 MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 26, 1942 6 Sheet/S-F'Shee INVENTURE THE'QDUHE 733mm@ JasEPH mmm/5E l fl Jan. 2G, E94, T. TRECKER E11 AL 2,434,751

` MACHINE TOOL l Filed Dec. 26, 1942 G Sheets-Sheet 5 l/ /l 75 L 9? 89 N L 76 9/ ya /07 fo@ "EL I ZZ v 83 8 69 pig.

` JNVENTURE THEDDURE' TREUKEE JDsEPH E. AHM; :7A @E y Jan. 20,1948. T. TRECKER Erm.' I 2,434,751. l l MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 26, 1942 6 Sheets-ShedI G Hajj ."5 JNVENTDRS THEUDRE TREE'KER JDSEPH E'. AHMJ/msz TTRNEY Patented Jan. 20, 1948 MACHINE TOOL Theodore Trecker, Milwaukee, and Joseph B.

Armitage, Wauwatosa, Kearney & Trecker Corporation, West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 26, 1942, Serial No. 470,130

7 Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to machine tools and more particularly to improvements in milling machines of the multiple spindle type.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved milling machine particularly adapted to effect a plurality of machining operations simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved supporting and actuating apparatus for the cutters of a milling machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine tool arranged to effect machining operations simultaneously along angularly disposed paths.

Another object of the invention is to provide,`

a milling machine having an improved arrangement for moving a milling cutter transversely of the path of feeding movement of the Work table.

Another object is to provide improved means for effecting transverse feeding movements of a milling cutter in correlation with longitudinal feeding movements of a work support.

Another object is to provide in a milling machine having a plurality of cutter spindles one of which is arranged for transverse feeding movement, a control mechanism arranged to prevent movement of the transversely fed spindle into collision with the other spindles of the machine.

According to this invention, a milling machine of the rail type is provided with a plurality of cutter carrying spindles mounted on the machine rail in an improved manner for effecting a plurality of machining cuts simultaneously upon a work piece. The spindle supporting rail may be vertically adjustable in the usual manner and carries the usual horizontally adjustable spindle heads provided with vertically disposed spindles. In addition, the rail carries a vertically slidable self-contained spindle head preferably provided with an angularly disposed spindle. Furthermore, there are slidably mounted directly in the rail a plurality of vertically disposed spindle quills carrying cutter driving spindles which are connected to be actuated by a motor mounted on the rail. As an important feature of the invention, an improved arrangement is provided for moving one of the spindle heads transversely in synchronism with the work table as it is advanced in a feeding movement. To effect definite correlation between movement of the table and of the cutter head, the head traversing mechanism is driven directly from the table in the course of its movement.

Wis., assignors to The traversing mechanism includes a rate changing and reversing transmission that may be, conveniently, of the pick-off gear type, whereby an adjustment may be made as to the direction and extent of the transverse movement to eiect a cutting operation at the desired angle upon a work piece. The transmission mechanism is preferably driven by a rack carried by the table and engaging a pinion connected to turn the pick-off gearing, a screw and nut device being driven by the gearing to move the cutter head. In order that the cut may be made along the desired path, the cutter head is adjustable to present a milling cutter with its plane of rotation positioned to include the line of cutting action. To prevent the transversely moving spindle head from colliding with another head on the rail, a suitable limit switch mechanism is associated with the head and a1'- ranged to stop feeding movement of the work table when the moving head arrives at a predetermined position relative to another head on the rail.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, which will be more fully apparent from the following description, may be achieved by means of the exemplifying apparatus shown in and described in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in right end elevation of a large milling machine of the rail type, embodying the various features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the base and part of the work table having been broken away;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the spindle carrying rail of the machine, showing parts of the supporting columns;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in left side elevation of part of the spindle carrying rail, showing the vertically adjustable spindle head;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section,

j taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3 showing the 3 section of the tripping mechanism, taken on the line 8 8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken in horizontal section on the line 9-9 in Fig. 1 showing the mechanism for driving the spindles mounted in the vertically adjustable rail;

Fig. Al() is a view in vertical section on the line IU-lii 'in Fig. 9, showing details of the spindle driving mechanism;

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary view in left side ellevation, showing the portion of the rail carrying the spindle quills mounted directly therein;

Fig. l2 is a fragmentarynenlarged viewin right end elevation of the rear column'of the machine,

showing the transversely adjustable spindle head..

provided with a universally adjustable spindle mounting, parts having been brokenaway to show the transmission mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the portion of the Vmachine shown in Fig. 12 with parts broken away to show the driving gearing;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view in rear elevation of 'the spindle traversing gearing, partly in'vertical section taken on the line lf3- Id in Fig. 13;? and Fig. 15 is a fragmentary View of the rear edge of the work table and adjacent parts of Ithe transverse driving mechanism, taken partly in vertical section on the line I5|5 in Fig. 12.

The particular machine tool set forth herein as illustrative of apparatus embodying the severalcharacteristics of the present invention in a practical operative form, is a milling machine of the multiple spindle, rail type, as may best be seen by reference to Figs. l and 2 of the drawing in which the entire machine is shown in right emi"` and front elevations, respectively.

Referring more particularly to these figures of the drawing, the milling machine there shown comprises essentially a relatively long hollow base `or bed 2l constituting the frame or foundation' porting structure fo-r a vertically adjustable cutter spindle carrying rail 26. As shown, the rail 26 is slidably `mounted at its ends on the right sides of the columns or uprights 23 and 24 and is arranged to be adjusted vertically therealong by elevating screws 27 and 28 associated with the respective columns and operatively connected to be actuated simultaneously by an elevating motor mounted at the base of the rear column.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the rail 25 has slidably lmounted for horizontal movement on its right side or face, a pair of spindle carrying heads Si and 32 of similar construction but oppositely arranged. The spindle heads 3l and 32 support' cutter carrying spindles 33 and 34, respectively,

which are vertically disposed within quills 35 and 136'that are slidably mounted in the headsfor vertical axial adjustment, thev spindles being driven by motors 3l and 38, respectively, that are` mounted on the heads and are operatively con- 'y nected tothe spindles by speed changing gearing in the usual manner.V

IThe spindle quills 35 and 36 and their associated spindles Ymay b-e adjusted'vertically within the spindle heads by means of a hand crank (not shown) or theV like that may be applied to the square ends of actuating shafts 4l' and 42, respectively, whiehproject fromfthe fronts ,of thel heads. In' order to adjustlthe spindles in' fdirec- 4 tion transverse to the direction of movement of the table 22, the spindle heads are arranged to be moved along the rail 25 by means of independent traversing screws 43 and 44 respectively. By these two adjustments, milling cutters carried by the spindles 33 and 34 may be positioned vertically toward for from the table 22v and traversed horizontally transversely of the table,` each movement being independent of the other.

Another spindle head 5l) is mounted on the left sideof the rail 25, toward the rear of the mafor vertical-sliding movement only relative to the rail. The vertically adjustable head 5G in this instance isprovided with an angularly disposed tool carrying Ispindle 5I mounted in an axially adjustable quill 52 operatively connected to be driven by a motor 53 mounted on the head.

-are supported-bythe rail for bodily movement 'the rail ZGnearits forward end-for Vertical axial adjustment.

' Referring particularly to Fig. l, it' will be seen that the several spindlesI are each provided with a cutter and that `the Acutters are arranged to perform a'multiplicity of machining operations simultaneously upon a work piece El) which is supported upon the work table 22Vby means of a suitable fixture 5I. y I

In preparing to eifect a multiple machining `operationupon the'work piece 6i), the spindle vcarrying rail 26 is' rst adjusted vertically along the columns tobring'it into an approximate relationship with the work piece for proper operation of the various cutters. Each of the several 'cutter spindles is then adjusted independently to position its associated cutter precisely for effecting the desired machining operation.

According to an important feature of this invention, arrangements are made for effecting one bof the machining cuts along a non-parallel path at a predetermined angle to the cuts effected by the other cutters in the direction of movement of the work table. The particular work piece shown in Fig. l requires that the cut effected by the cutter4 spindle 35 on therear horizontally movable head 32 be made at a predetermined angle tothe other cuts effected by the cutters on the verates the feeding screw lll which moves the head 32 along the rail 25. The speed and direction of the transverse` movement, and consequently the inclination at which the cut is effected relative to the cuts resulting from operation of cutters en the other spindles, may be adjusted by means Aof suitable speed changing and reversing gearing incorporated in the transmission train.

Movement of the work table 22 Ylongitudinally of the bed v2l in'eXecuting feeding strokes, is effected by means of a'table drivinglelectric motor 64 mounted on the right end of the bed and operatively connected by means of the usual rate changing and reversing gearing to turn a table feeding screw 65 that is rotatably carried by the table and that has threaded engagement with a cooperating stationary nut fixed in the bed 2l.

Power for effecting the transverse feeding movement of the spindle head 32 is derived from movement of the table 22 and is transmitted to the gear train mechanism by means of a toothed rack 68 that is secured to the rear edge of the table and has meshing engagement with a cooperating pinion 69, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15. The pinion 59 is fixed on the forward end of a horizontal shaft 10, the other end of which carries a bevel gear 1| meshing with a complementary bevel gear 12 fixed on the lower end of a vertically -disposed splined shaft 13. The splined shaft 13 extends upward through a gear housing 14 fixed on the rear end of the rail 26 and has splined connection with a bevel gear 15 rotatably mounted within the housing, the arrangement being such that vertical movement of the rail 26 and the housing 14 will not interfere with the driving connection.

The bevel gear 15 in the housing 14 meshes with a complementary bevel gear 16 from which power is transmitted through a rate changing and reversing pick-off gear mechanism 11 which drives the head traversing screw 44 at the rate and in the direction required to effect the desired direction and extent of inclination of the cut being taken in the work piece.

As appears in Figs. l2, 13 and l5, the rack 68 which drives the transverse feed mechanism is in the form of a rectangular bar extending substantially from end to end of the table. As best shown in Fig. 15, the rack bar 68 is attached by cap screws 8l to a bracket 82 which is in turn secured by cap screws 83 to the rear edge of the table. The cooperating pinion 69 is rotatably supported by means of its shaft 16 journalled in a tubular bracket 84 that is secured in proper position on the face of the column 24 by clamp bolts 85, the rearwardly extending end of the bracket being enlarged to form a housing for the bevel gears 1l and 12 and arranged to constitute a bearing in which the vertical shaft 13 is rotatably mounted.

Referring now to Figs. 12, 13 and 14, it will be seen that the bevel gear 16 which is driven from the shaft 13 by means of the splined bevel gear 15, is rotatably supported by a horizontal stub shaft 81 that is rotatably mounted in the housing 14. The stub shaft 81 projects at its rearward end into a gear compartment 88 and is shaped to receive a pick-off gear 86. As best shown in Fig. 13, the gear 89 is arranged to mesh with a complementary pick-off gear 90 tted on the rearwardly projecting end of the transverse feed screw 44 which is rotatably mounted in the rail 2G and likewise projects into the compartment 88, the gearing being accessible upon opening a door 9! hinged to the housing 14 at the rear thereof. It is apparent that the rate of transverse movement of the spindle head 32 relative to the table 22 is determined by the ratio of the gearing in the transmission train, and that it may be adjusted by removing the gears 89 and 90 and substituting another pair of complementary gears having the required different ratio.

For determining the direction in which the angular cut will be made relative to the straight cuts on the work piece, the pick-off gear mechanism 11 is arranged to eiect a reversing action,

" on another stub shaft 96 journalled in the housing 14 below the shaft 81. The stub shaft 96 likewise projects rearwardly into the gear compartment 88 and is similarly arranged to receive a pick-off gear, the shaft 96 being rotated in direction opposite to the shaft 81 through action of the interconnecting gear train. As shown in Fig. 14, the shafts 81 and 96 are positioned equi-distant from the traversing screw shaft 44 and serve as alternate, oppositely rotating driving elements, either one of which may be utilized by applying to it the pick-olf gear 89 which meshes with the complementary gear 90 in either position to drive it in either direction selectively.

As appears in Fig. 13, the rotatable traversing screw Il@ has threaded engagement with a cooperating nut 91 xed in the body of the spindle 'head 32, the arrangement being such that when the screw 4 is turned in the nut, the head 32 is traversed along the rail 26 in the usual manner. In order that the traversing movement of the head and spindle, and consequently the angular cutting action, may be effected with the highest degree of accuracy, the entire transmission mechanism from the rack and pinion associated with the table to the screw and nut mechanism, is so fitted as to have the least possible backlash or lost motion in its action.

This arrangement of gearing provides for moving the head 32 along the rail 26 transversely of the table in accordance with the longitudinal feeding movement of the table. Accordingly, the machining cut effected by a cutter on the spindle head 32 will be disposed at an angle to the cuts effected by the other cutters of the machine, the angle of the cut being determined by the proportion of the transverse movement of the head to the longitudinal movement of the table. Since the direction and rate of movement of the head S2 is established by the selection and positioning of the pick-off gearing in the mechanism 11, any desired change in the angle of cut may be effected readily by exchanging the pick-on gears 89 and 9G for others having the required ratio to effect the desired angle of cuttingaction. Furthermore, the direction of the angular cut may be selected by choosing between the shafts 81 and 66 as the driving element for the gearing.

Although the particular machine tool illustrated is arranged as a matter of convenience, to utilize pick-off change gears in the drive for effecting the angular cutting action, it ls to be understood that any other speed changing and reversing mechanism might be substituted, providing that it is capable of transmitting motion with the, degree of certainty required to effect the desired degree of accuracy in the machining operation. Furthermore, although the transverse cutter feeding mechanism is shown mounted on the rear column and associated with the rail cutter head, it is to be understood that this mechanism might well be associated with the forward spindle head, or for that matter similar mechanisms might be arranged for traversing both heads simultaneously at the same or diiferent rates and in the same or opposite directions.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 12, the rear cutter head 32 is equipped with a universally adjustable cutter spindle carrying structure |01 that is arranged to present a milling cutter |02 at any desired angle ineither a horizontaler a verticalplane n As shown,` the cutter supportingstructure includes.:A a circular. universalY swivel portion- |03 that is rotatably mounted on the base ofthe head32` any angular position in a vertical plane, as indi-- cated by graduations |06 lon the periphery of the head. Thespindle head IDS-has journalled thereinna kcutter spindle |0'lthat carries the milling cutter |02A and is operatively connected to be driven from the actuating mechanism in the head structure 32 by means of bevel gearing Yor the like, in well known manner, `In adjusting the position of the cutter |02 before starting an angular cut, the spindle head |05 may rst be turned to set thecutter |02.,y at the desired angle to the verticalas indicated by-the graduations |06, and clamped in well known manner. The universal swivel portion |03` may then be turned to and clamped in position-to present the cutter |02 `parallel with the angular path to be followed in the machining operatiomas indicated by the graduations |04, vthe path being `represented .by the dot-dash line |09/in Fig-13;

In starting a cut in a work piece such as-,a piece of material l l shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the table adjusting thevertical position oi',vr the cross rail' 26 upon the columnssand 2G. The pick-off gear 89 is then removed fromthetransverse feed rate changing and reversing mechanism 'il' and a crank Vor the like appliedto the squared end ||3 of the transverse feedscrew 44 for turning it t0 adjust the head 92.- along the rail 26 to position the cutter |02 at theexact pointxat which it is The desired to startthe cutv in thework piece.

extent of movement of the head 32Ia1ong the rail 26 may be measured by reference to a micrometer diall Itxedon the end of the screw shaft lf3 and arranged to cooperatel with a Zero mark or indicator device H5 securedtothe: housing '15,' as

shown.- in. Fig. 14. The pick-off gear 89 is then placedon eitherJ the shaft Menthe-shaft 9Biin accordance with the direction in which the angular cutis to be made.

Since neither the table 221nor'the spindle head 32 maybemoved after., the cutter hasbeen set tween the pick-off gear 89 and the gear., 90, the

rim portion yi il is `turnedon the hub, IB until its teeth come-into alignment with the teeth of the. gear 89 whereupon thegear 89 may be moved endwise into position and secured totheA endof itsgdr'ivingshaft. The rim of thefgearfSU-is f then secured to the hub |6,by tightening clamp- 8. thus completedv Without disturbing the position ofl thecutter. relative to the-work piece.

A suitable milling cutter. |20 iitted in the spindlej33 of the spindle head 3|. may be positioned relative to the work piece horizontally by moving the head along the rail, and vertically by adjusting the quill 35 within the head, in suchV `adjusted along the rail 2G with the aid of the lead screw-43, which diliers in arrangement from the screw lle associated with the head 32 in that itis `iixed to the rail. Movement of the head 3| iseiected by actuating a crank or the like applied to the squared end of an actuating shaft |25` projecting from the iront of the head, as shown in Fig. 1, and operatively connected to turn a nut mountedv in the head structure and having threaded engagement with the screw c3.

lSince it is possible that the forward spindle head 3|' may be moved to aposition in which it will interfere with transverse movement of the head 32 in the course of an angular cutting operation, the head 92 is provided with a limit switch arrangement |28 that is operativelyV connected with the control of the drive motor 64 and functions to stop the motor when the head 32 is moved to within a predetermined limiting distance from the other head, at which point the switch engages an actuating stop member |20 on the head 3|. By this arrangement, if the head 3| is positioned too close to the head 32 and thelatter approaches the former during an angular cutting operation, the limit switch |28 will vbe actuated tostop further feeding movement of the table before collision occurs between the two heads.

A similar limit switchy is provided on the rear of the rail 26 in position to be engaged by the head 32 in the event the head approaches too closely to the end of the rail. Other limit switches,`not shown, may be provided 0n the column 24 to limit the extent of movement of the rail 26 vertically along the columns.

Whenever a change is made in the angle at which the cutter |92Y carried by the head 3'2 is to be fed relative to the work piece III; the anguiarly adjustable head |0| is likewise adjusted to correspond with the new angle of cut in order that the plane of rotation of the cutter |02 may include the `line of the cutting action. However, in the event that the angular cut is being effected by a cutter on a vertically disposed spindle such as a cutter |33 on the vertical spindle 34 shown associated with the head 32 in Fig. 1, the cutting periphery of the cutter follows the angular path of cut without the necessityof any adjustment of its angularposition.

Movement of the work supporting table 22-longitudinally of the bed 2|' is under'the control of manually operable levers |35 one of which is positioned at each side of the bed, as best shown in Fig, 1. Theseleversoperate in well known manner to effect movement of thetable in either direction at either feed rate or rapid traverse rate selectively. Control of the table driving mechanism, may also be effected automaticallyv in response to movement of the table, by trippingmechanismincluding a tripping post l3'ifof`A the usual type.v mounted ,vertically-in.. the bed( 2| y acljaeeint tothe` front edge of the table 22, as shown in Figs. '1 and 8. The tripping post |31 is vso connected with the control mechanism that movement of the post to its upper position effects movement of the table at rapid traverse rate while movement of the post to its lower position results in feed rate movement of the table, the direction of table movement being controlled by turning the post |31 in one or the other direction. Movement of the post 31 in controlling the table, may be effected in the usual manner, by trip dogs mounted in T- slots |38 and |39 formed in the forward edge of the table.

In the particular control system utilized in this machine, arrangements are provided for preventing the control mechanism from being shifted accidentally into the rapid traverse position during the course of a cutting stroke. For this purpose,

the usual momentarily acting feed rate trip dog is replaced by an elongated controlling dog or member |40 shown in Fig. 1. The member |40 functions to engage the tripping post |31 in the manner of a feed rate trip dog, to move it down to feed rate position as indicated in Fig. 8. However, instead of passing out of engagement with the tripping post during the course of the feeding movement, as would be the ease with usual feed rate trip dog, the controlling member |40 is provided with an elongated control surface or ledge |4| which remains in engagement with a cooperating lug |42 on the trip post |31 in manner to hold the post down in feed position throughout the feeding stroke, thereby preventing unintentional shifting of the control mechanism into rapid traverse position. As appears in Fig. 8, the control element |40 is provided at its back with a lug |43 that nts into the lower T-slot |39 and it is secured to the table by bolts |44 fitted in the upper T-slot |38 and passing through holes in an upwardly extending portion of the control element.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the vertically adjustable spindle head 50 is fitted into a recess |50 in the expanded portion of the rail 26 which extends to the left between the columns 23 and 24, the head being held in position by gibs secured by bolts |52 in manner to permit vertical sliding movement of the head relative to the rail. As shown in Fig. 5, the head 50 has attached to it an elevating screw |53 that has threaded engagement with a cooperating nut |54 rotatably mounted in the structure of the rail 26. For elevating or lowering the head, the nut |54 may be turned by means of a crank or the like applied to the squared end of an actuating shaft |55 that protrudes from the rail at the left rear corner of the expanded portion thereof. The actuating shaft |55 is provided at its inner end with a bevel gear |56 that meshes with a cooperating bevel gear |51 on the rotatable nut |54,` the arrangement being such that when the shaft |55 is turned, the head 50 will be raised or lowered by an amount indicated by a micrometer dial |58 fixed on the outer end ofthe shaft.

The position of a milling cutter |60 mounted on the angularly positioned spindle 5| relative to the work piece 60 may be adjusted by adjusting the head 5|] vertically in combination with axial adjustment of the spindle 5| by means of its spindle quill 52.

Adjustment of the quill 52 is accomplished by the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 by means of a crank or the like applied to the squared end of an actuating shaft |62 which protrudes from the head 50 and is provided at its inner end with ag bevel pinion |63 which meshes with a similar bevel pinion |64 on a driving screw |65. As shown, the screw |65 has meshing engagement with the teeth of a rack |66 iitted in one side of the quill 52, the arrangement being such that when the shaft |62 is turned, the quill will be moved in or out in accordance with the indication of a micrometer dial |61 on the outer end of the shaft.

The two spindles 54 and 55 which are supported by the quills 56 and 51 directly in the body of the rail 26, are likewise arranged for axial vertical.

adjustment to position cutters carried by them precisey relative to thework piece on the table 22. As appears in Figs. 3, 10 and 11, the quill 56 carries at its upper enlarged end a horizontally projecting actuating shaft |10 presenting a squared end for receiving a crank or the like. As shown in Fig. 10, the shaft |10 is rotatably mounted in an enlarged head portion |1| of the quill 56 and is provided at its inner end with a worm |12 that meshes with a cooperating worm wheel |13 on the upper end of a vertically disposed screw shaft |14. The shaft |14 is rotatably journalled in the head |1| and is threaded in a nut |15 fixed in the body of the rail 26, the arrangement being such that when the actuating shaft |10 is turned the screw |14 operates to move the quill 56 up or down within its cooperating slidabe bearing surface in the rail.

The quill 51 carrying the spindle 55 is likewise provided with a somewhat similar arrangement, but in this instance the screw shaft |11 is xed in an enlarged head |18 at the upper end of the quill, the screw shaft projecting downward into the body of the rail 25. Actuation of the quill is effected by means of a crank or the like applied to the squared end of an actuating shaft |19 projecting from the rail, the shaft being operatively connected to turn a nut rotatably mounted in the rail and having threaded engagement with the screw |11.

Both the tool spinde 54 and the tool spindle 55 in the quills 56 and 51,v respectively, are driven from the same power source constituted by an electric motoil |82 mounted on the forward end of the rail 26, as shown in the drawing. Referring particularly to Fig. 9, the motor |82 is provided with a long driving shaft |83 disposed longitudinally within the rail 26 and provided at its inner end with a worm |84 which meshes With a Worm wheel |65 on a shaft |86 extending transversely of the rail 26. As appears in Figs. 9 and 11, the shaft |36` is provided at its other end with a pinion |81 that meshes with similar pinions |88 and |89 mounted on stub shafts |90 and lill, respectively, for driving the two spindles 54 and 55. The stub shafts |90 and |6| project into a change gear compartment |92 at the left side of the rail, which is closed by a hinged cover |63. As shown, the ends of the shafts and lill are fitted to receive pick-off gears |94 and |95, respectively, which mesh with complementary pick-off gears |96 and |91 on the ends 0f shafts |98 and |99, l

As appearsin Fig. 10, the shaft |98 is provided Vat its other end with a bevel pinion 20| that meshes with a similar bevel pinion 202 on a vertically disposed splined shaft 203 which is rotatably mounted in the body of the rail 26, The splinedshaft v203 has sliding engagement with an internally splined pinion 204 rotatably' mounted within the head 4'|'|| and having associated with ita flywheel 205, the. arrangement 11 'ibeingsuchfthatithehead fI-'H .and quill-'56..may Ivbe moved- Averticalywithoutinterfering with -the -.driving `connectie-n. Asi shown,--the pinion-204 fmeshes with: engem-wheel lZilli xed. on the `tool 4spindle-54 ffcr-rotatingit-.tof drive afcutter car- :5 .ried.=thereby,-the speed-of.=rotation ofthe cutter beingdetermined-,by` the, fratio of the pick-off gears |94 and |96.

The connection for driving the otherfspindle @55 issimilar .to Ithatfushownand described in 110 "megard tot-he spindle 54,. :the driven pick-off gear 19T andiits shaft YH39 being-connected bybevel gearing tela-vertically rdisposed splined shaft y..2Bl'extending upwardiinto the-head |78 on vthe iquill 57. -Withinftherhead |18 the fspiined shaft v,15 $2111x .engages gearingsimilar tothat shown .within the head HI byfmeans'of which-power is trans kn'iittediat vthe -rate established 'by -the ratioof lthe pick-off gears -I-95 and 491,.to'the tool carryting spindle 55.

From the foregoing description of the multiple spindle milling machine. herein set forth to exemplify the present@ invention itwill be apparent lthat there has. 4been f providedv an yimproved `matchine itool= especially adapted to perform.Y a mul- 25W "tiplicity of machining operations-upon Ya work piece simultaneously with' a high degree of Aeiliiciency and accuracyand'with various machining cuts' arranged in: desired angular -relationshipl Although v.the illustrative.'embodiment of'v the-30 invention herein set forth has been described in fdetail'byf way of.,k disclosure of/ a practicalY ex` Y emplfying struCtura-itis to lbe understood `that fthe particular apparatus herein described `is in- -tendedtobe illustrative :onlyand that various f 35 fcharacteristics of the-invention may -be `incor iporatediin other structuraliforms without depart- .eingirom the spirit -and scope offthe invention `has deiinedrin the subjoined claims.

The principles of the-invention havinglnowbeen :40 Sfullyy explained 'in'. .the foregoing .description' of embodying-apparatus,we hereby` .claim as our invention:

,1.. Inf amilling machiner` of the rail type,-a1bed, f.a.worksupporting tablemovably mounted yori-said .45.' vbed,-.'uprights.fcarried by saidbedrat the respec s-tivefsides vof said worksupporting tablefarail M.slidablyfmounteclonrsaid uprights for adjustment -rvertically relative-tofsaid table,l a ,spindle quill Pslidably mountedin saidrail for'adjustment ver- 50- f-.tically relative"thereto,"f.a tool'. carrying spindle yfrotatably?mounted.:insaid quill,A a plurality-'oi `spindle --headsslidablymounted. on said rail "for :horizontal :movement therealongp-a tool carrying `spindle rotatably mounted in'eachfof said spindle 55" heads, poweroperatedY means farrangedto eiTect feeding movement of said v-work supporting table, vame-ans operatively connectedvto cause movement sofi-orient said spindle. heads .along saidrailA as faresult of..feedingmovementvof vsaidctable,` `and n.60 llmitzcontrol means-:associated with said lpower zfiactuated. head .and `operative -to stopfeeding V:zxmovementof'said work supporting table upon saidipower actuated. :head `apprcachinganother of 'isaid spindle yheads on said..-rail .-,1-,0 -with-in 1 21.435 f predetermined minimum distance.

f1.2. In a;milling...machine, a -baseawork support- :ing tablemovably mountedcn said baseja. cutter 'supporting structureV 4carried bysaidf base, aplu- `I`l'aliyei millinghutterscarriedbysaid-structure, ..70 ,zr'in'eans ion movingzeach-.of said outtersfrelativento fthe othen. means -toI-correlatethe relativemove- ,fmentoi said cutters .with .themovement of said .-workr supportingtable to .eiect milling cuts along nongparal'lelspaths: ofgvpredetermined .relationship 75 upon a vwork= piece carried;v byfsaidtable, .and limit -control means arranged 'to function lin response .to 4movement of said cutters v`to within apredetermined limiting. distance ofeach other and .operatingto stop said movement ofsaidwork supporting table, whereby collision between-said cutters `is prevented.

3.l In a.. milling machine, a/ cutterV supporting structure, a plurality of cutteru carrying heads movablyl-mounted ion-fsaid cutter. `supporting structure, cutter-spindles rotatably-mounted in said cuttercarrying-headsrespectively, a work supporting member movably mounted in4 cooper- Vating:relationshipwith said cutter .spindles, means arranged .to move Yeach of-said-'cutterheads relativetosaidsupporting structure,.means connected to be actuated .bysaid work rsupporting-member 'inthe courseof its-movement and operative to distance, wherebyccollision between said heads may beavoided. y l

4.` In awmilling..machinav a fb'ase, a work sup- `portingtableslidablymountedon said base, power operated fmeans- `in-said-baseY arranged to effect Yfeeding movemento'f'sad table, control mechanism for` saidA power operatedmeans including a-trip post movable to two positionsv a cooperating retainsaidtrippstin one position 'throughout `a feeding movement, columns-upstanding at the respective -sides of-said worky supporting table, a rail carried` by saidcoiumns, Ja` spindle quill lmounteddirectlyin said rail for axial adjustment .only relative `thereto,a tool Icarrying Aspindle rov`tatably mounted in -said.spindlequill,a plurality ofzspindlel heads-slidably:mounted on said rail for movement therealong transversely Aof said table, tool carryingspindles rotatably mounted in said -spindleheads, a transmission mechanism --arranged to be-.drivenbyvsaid table in the course of. -its Y fmovement and operatively connected to move onegof saidfspindleheads in correlated relationship with said .table for effecting angular cutting, speed changing and reversing mechanism associated wi-th said transmission mechanism and operative to' establish -the direction and degreeof said angular cutting operation', and control mechanism associated. with said spindle heads and operative toprevent collision ofsaid heads by stopping said. power operated means when said headsapproachV each other to' within a Ypredetermined minimum-distance.

-5 In amilling machine, aba'se, a' work supporting table-movablymount'ed" on said base, an electric motor operatively connected to drive said table in feeding movement, a spindle supporting headmounted formovement transversely of said l-table,a ltransmission mechanismY arranged to be driven by saidatable inthe course of its movement and operatively'cornctd to'movesaid spindle head-a limiti-'switch associated withsaid head vand operativeto deener'gize-saidtabie driving motor upon said head approaching close .to con- Ltact with anotherpart of'saidlmachine.

. Ina milling machine .ofthe rail type, a bed, a work supporting table movablyl mounted on said hed, a rail carried by said bedabove .said table, aplurality ofspindle heads movably mounted on l-said rail, power driven means arranged to drive -said table, mechanism operated by movement of saidtableito effect movement ofoneof said heads along said rail, and limit control means associated with said power driven head and operative t-o stop said power driven means upon said driven head moving to within a predetermined distance of another of said heads on said rail.

7. In a milling machine of the rail type, a bed, a work supporting table movably mounted on said bed, a rail carried by said bed above said table, a plurality of spindle heads movably mounted on said rail, power driven means arranged to actuate said work supporting tab-le, means driven by movement of said table and operatively connected to move one of said spindle heads, and control means associated with said driven spindle head and operative to stop said table driving power means when said driven head approaches another spindle head to within a predetermined distance, whereby danger of driving said power driven head into engagement with another head is obviated.

THEODORE TRECKER. JOSEPH B. ARMITAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

